In this file photo, Jason, who didn't want to give his last name, feeds George and Junior under the west end of the Hawthorne Bridge where he camped. A new proposal by the city of Portland would allow people to camp in vehicles in church parking lots. Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian

Eugene already lets businesses and religious organizations host homeless campers with one to three vehicles per site, depending on the type of location.

But several other metro-area cities, such as Beaverton and Hillsboro, forbid it. Gresham imposes a 72-hour limit and requires written permission from property owners.

Portland Commissioner Nick Fish, who's spearheading the test project, first explored the idea in 2009. "I had a hard time getting any traction," said Fish, who at that time got a cool reception from city code-enforcement officials and others. "The response was 'not now.'"

But Occupy Portland combined with a highly visible new homeless camp on West Burnside Street and an 8 percent uptick in homelessness in Multnomah County this year created what Fish called a fresh "sense of crisis," prompting him to try again. This time, support from Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, a faith-based nonprofit in Portland, strengthened the idea.

The change, which would go into effect immediately if it passes Wednesday as expected, would allow churches, synagogues and mosques as well as nonprofits to host overnight guest in their parking lots.

Program guidelines

Organizations could allow up to four cars, RVs or trailers -- but not tents -- provided they also follow several other rules. Those include displaying signs that tell neighbors they gave permission to the campers to sleep overnight; ensuring access to toilets and garbage pickup; and disallowing any hookups to electricity, water and sewer services.

The guidelines also say hosts must work with neighbors to minimize disruptions from noise, odors and idling engines. If problems erupt, neighbors can complain to the Bureau of Development Services, which would have the power to close down sites that don't follow the guidelines.

Advocates for the homeless applauded the plan as a short-term solution and another step toward moving people into permanent shelter. Marc Jolin, executive director of the nonprofit JOIN, said his group has seen a noticeable increase in car camping among families this winter.

Critics' concerns

Critics of the pilot program as currently drafted worry Portland officials are walking a slippery slope.

The proposal also comes on the heels of a significant new setback for anti-homelessness advocates. Earlier this month U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken denied a motion by local activists challenging the constitutionality of Portland's anti-camping ordinance, putting their case in limbo.

As it stands now, the Portland City Council expects to review the program within a year. The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners will vote this week to symbolically support Portland's move.

Meanwhile, the effort could spread.

In Gresham, it's already OK to park a vehicle on private property for up to 72 hours with the property owner's written permission, said Laura Bridges-Shepard, a spokeswoman.

Beaverton could change its stance, too. "We could consider an exemption on a case by case basis," Bill LaMarche, a Beaverton spokesman, said in an email. "We would consider conditions similar to those imposed by Portland."